How One Mission Trip Changed Everything
I never imagined that a single trip would completely change the trajectory of my life. For years, I worked as a CPA, focused on building a career and living what I thought was a good life. But then I went on a mission trip to Burundi—and everything shifted.
While I was there, I saw the deep suffering of the global church up close. It broke me. I remember thinking, “I felt like I had basically lived my life ignoring the plight of the suffering.” That realization was a turning point. God opened my eyes and my heart, and I knew I couldn’t go back to life as usual. That trip sparked a lifelong journey of generosity, justice, and empowerment.
The Birth of BraveWorks and Restoration Residences
I didn’t set out to start anything big. Honestly, I just kept taking the next step God put in front of me. Over time, those steps led to the creation of BraveWorks, an organization that empowers women who have experienced trafficking, abuse, or incarceration. Through meaningful work and community, these women find dignity, hope, and a path forward.
But God wasn’t done. He gave me a vision for Restoration Residences, a program that helps families transition out of homelessness and into stability. There’s something deeply healing about walking alongside people in their struggles and seeing them rebuild their lives. It’s humbling and beautiful.
Living Generously in Every Sphere
Along this journey, I’ve learned that generosity isn’t just about writing checks. It’s about how we live, how we invest, and how we steward everything God has entrusted to us. Too often, we separate philanthropy from investing, but I’ve realized that “Too often, we only focus on our philanthropy and we don’t think about what we’re doing with our investment dollars… God calls us to steward all of what He’s entrusted to us in a way that honors Him.”
For me, that means approaching every decision with a Kingdom mindset—whether it’s giving, investing, or simply showing up for someone in need. It also means staying connected to a community of generous givers who challenge and inspire me to keep growing.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
- Get proximate. “It’s so important for us to become proximate to people who have different lived experiences than we do.”
- Start small. “A lot of times, I had no intentions of starting anything. I just took the next step that the Lord showed me.”
- Stay humble and curious. Generosity is a journey, and it’s okay to learn as you go.
Generosity isn’t just about giving—it’s about stepping into the unknown with faith and courage. If my story encourages you to take that next step, I’d love for you to hear more.
*This blog post was thoughtfully adapted from Michele’s interview on the Finish Line podcast. You can hear her complete live interview on the podcast here.
